The set up

• Drink bar — Set out some glasses, mixers + champagne for a build-your-own drink station. May we suggest a good ol’ White Linen? As guests arrive, they can make a cocktail or mocktail + mingle before the real feast begins.
• Ambient lighting — Use lamps + candles instead of overhead lights to diffuse some cozy lighting throughout your space.
• The menu — Want to whip up something that tastes like home? Snag the new Sacramento Eats cookbook for local eats inspo + tell your guests in advance to build the anticipation.

The wind down

• Set boundaries — In your invite + after people arrive, emphasize the intended duration of your event.
• Non-verbal cues — Our personal favorite is to queue “Closing Time” by Semisonic. Straight-forward + still a bop, just the way we like it.

• Momtim Pewinan, River People | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sacramento History Museum, 101 I St., Sacramento | $5 | Curated by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Exhibits and Collections Center, the permanent exhibit shows four mannequins in attire by tribal artisans using knowledge of their ancestors.
• Holiday Magic Art Show Reception | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 4-8 p.m. | Annie Peony Fine Art Gallery, 9635 Elk Grove Florin Rd., Elk Grove | Free | Celebrate the masterpieces of seven artists from the Sacramento area with a live guitarist, watercolor demo, and more.
• Fabric Ornaments Workshops | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Women’s Wisdom Art, 1029 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento | Free | Grab your mask + get crafting with felt, fabric and more. All materials are provided, just bring your holiday cheer.

• Adult Book Club | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Folsom Public Library, 411 Stafford St., Folsom | Free | Join in to discuss “Happiness Falls” by award-winning author Angie Kim — a story of love, language, race + human connection.
• Virtual Career Fair | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Discover + meet with hiring managers from the comfort of your home.
• Coffee & Conversations | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 5-6 p.m. | Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento | Free | Bring your own projects or games to share + partake in the available crafts and refreshments provided as you mix + mingle.

• Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show | Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19 | Times vary | Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento | $4-$9 | Check out artisans + handmade goods from all over the country, including ceramics, jewelry, home decor, and more.
• Vegan Potluck and Movie | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento | Free | Bring a vegan dish to share + watch “Eating Our Way to Extinction,” a film about the current state of the planet and how reducing meat consumption helps improve it.
• Karaoke Night | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7-11 p.m. | Buck’s Fizz Restaurant and Tap House, 650 Fulton Ave., Sacramento | Free | Friday Night Karaoke means two things: Greek food + the inevitable good singer that takes karaoke a little too seriously.

• Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Sacramento
• Souls of the City returns to Old Sacramento
• New beer and artists that are out of this world in Sacramento

• Grab your reusable grocery bags and get ready — A brand new Costco is opening its doors in Marysville on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Directly off Highway 70 (1214 N. Beale Rd.), it will feature a tire center, gas station, pharmacy + more.

• Safe Black Space is hiring for two positions: Program Manager + Outreach & Special Projects Coordinator. Apply or forward to a friend you think could qualify before the deadline this Friday, Nov. 17.

• Starting this Saturday, Nov. 18, KC Kombucha is joining the list of vendors at Midtown Farmers Market. Pro tip: bring your own resealable bottles for discounted + eco-friendly booch refills.

• Transgender Awareness Week runs Nov.13-19 — a designated time to celebrate transgender and gender-nonconforming people + highlight their contributions. Follow along with the Sacramento LGBT Center as they share resources + context for the Sacramento area.

• Aro Homes sold its first carbon-negative house made in a factory in Sacramento. Sold for $4.2 million in Mountain View, two more homes are underway — one of them destined for San Jose (hey, SJtoday). (Sacramento Inno)

• De’Aaron Fox is back on the court after an ankle injury, contributing towards the impressive win against the Cavaliers on Monday, Nov. 13. Finishing 132-120, the Sacramento Kings have now lit the Beam for three games straight. (FOX40)

• Maidu-Wintun natural + cultural history expert Diana Almendariz directed a cultural burn last week in Yolo County, a practice beneficial for native plants. This three-day workshop educated fire professionals and the public on Indigenous environmental stewardship, teaching cultural sensitivity + burn practices. (Sac Bee)

• Say goodbye to fillers and weird ingredients in your dog’s food. Get 50% off your pup’s first order of Nom Nom for fresh, recognizable ingredients they’ll love.*

• Tuesday, Nov. 28 — 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center (1075 W. Capitol Ave.) in West Sacramento.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 — 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Mary L. Stephens Branch Library (315 E. 14th St.) in Davis.